Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Book by David Armstrong

Music & Lyrics by George M. Cohan

New Material by Albert Evans

Run Time: 2hr 10min

Cast Size: 11F, 12M, Ensemble

Apply for:

Apply for:

Share This Show

Share This Show

The exciting story of the rough and tumble kid who took Broadway by storm!

The life and times of George M. Cohan, the legendary showman once known as the man who owned Broadway, explodes onstage. Set against the colorful backdrop of Old Broadway, it’s the showbiz saga of the brash, colorful, cocky, charismatic, and uncompromising character who almost single-handedly invented the Broadway musical. This large-cast show is filled to the brim with production numbers, tap dancing galore, and Cohen's glorious music, including “Over There,” “Give my Regards to Broadway,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and “Harrigan.” A definite must-see for all lovers of Broadway musicals, Yankee Doodle Dandy! presents a fresh, contemporary view of a celebrated musical theater icon.

More Info

Characters:George M. Cohan– (25-40) a brash and charismatic master showman. Expert singer, dancer, actor. Must tap excellently, be experienced in ballroom partnering and have an arsenal of dance and acrobatic tricks. This character carries the show and rarely leaves the stage. Drive, determination and energetic stamina is a must.

Sam Harris– (25-38) a NY lower east side up and comer. George Cohan’s dynamic producing partner. Sam Harris shaped the business of American Theatre and is an original in a dynasty that led to George Abbott, Harold Prince and David Merrick. Does not dance or sing.

Old George– (60s or older) a cantankerous, brash and noisy older version of his younger self. Sings. Does not need to tap dance. Must have some knowledge of dance feel and very good rhythm.

Jerry Cohan– (50s) George’s father, a smooth song and dance man.

Nellie Cohan– (50s) George’s mother, warm and strong.

Josie Cohan– (20-early 30s) George’s sister, pretty and spunky. A natural foil for George. Known for her twirling skirt dance and in this show as good a dancer as Vera-Ellen. Splits and lifts required.

Ethel Levy- George’s first wife. A star in her own right. Great singer and comedienne. A savvy, wise cracking “gal” who could charm anyone with a wink, a joke and a great song. She was a natural comic in the Fanny Brice mode and a very good singer.

Georgette- The daughter of George and Ethel. She will try anything to be loved and her talent is an unmodulated mix of both of her parents’ talents—she can come off comical when she means to be sincere and masks her insecurity with the false bravado of the child of famous parents. Georgette is whacky, outrageous and big.

Old Lou- An ex dancer who now works as a stage doorman. A contemporary of Old George. Very minimal singing and dancing. Ensemble (8 Men/8 Women)All Excellent dancers and singers (except where noted):

Erlanger — One of the most successful producers of Vaudeville, a shark and a businessman.

Stage Manager— A comic version of a fussy detail man. Overwrought and over extended in a Paul Lynde sort of way. Sometimes played by the actor who plays Old Lou.

Young Lou- George’s longtime dance captain and understudy. Funny actor who is a good dancer.

The Champ– A big dumb lug who happens to be able to sing and dance. Must look good in his “skivvies,” per the script.

Chick Gordon– brash hipster who works in nightclubs and speakeasies. He is a conniving musician and “agent” who is attempting to cash in on Georgette’s name. He regards George as a comical relic from the past.

Agnes Nolan– Beautiful, talented young Irish girl with an eye for George.

Alice Nolan– Beautiful, talented young Irish girl with an eye for Sam.

Young Georgette

David Armstrong (Book) is the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of The 5thAvenue Theatre in Seattle. Since his appointment in 2000, he has guided the 5thAvenue to a position as one of the nation’s leading musical theater companies, acclaimed for both its development and production of new works and its innovative staging of classic musicals. He made his Broadway directing debut in November 2012 with the musical, Scandalous (which started at the 5thAvenue as Saving Aimee). Mr. Armstrong’s work has been seen in New York, Los Angeles, and at regional theaters, The Kennedy Center, Ordway Center for the performing Arts, Cincinnati Playhouse and New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. From 1990 through 1995, he served as artistic director of Cohoes Music Hall in upstate NY. He has also written the books for the musicals The Wonder Years (winner of seven Drama-Logue Awards), Gold Rush, andYankee Doodle Dandy!Albert Evans (arrangements, additional songs and lyrics) Off Broadway: Pageant (1992-93, revival 2014, dozens of productions in US and around the world); Nite Club Confidential, Streakin’! and The Texas Chainsaw Musical. Paper Mill Playhouse (State Theater of New Jersey): 10-year composer-in-residence: Mikado Inc. (lyrics), Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and A Tale of Two Cities (music). New York City Opera: English lyrics for new performing version of The Merry Widow, broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center (PBS). Regional: A Country Christmas Carol, commissioned by Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. The 5thAvenue Theatre, Seattle: Artistic Associate. Yankee Doodle Dandy (additional songs and lyrics), subsequently mounted at The Ordway Center (St. Paul) and Theatre Under the Stars (Houston), Rosie the Riveter! (touring Theater for Young Audiences musical), and Paint Your Wagon (co-creator of new musical arrangements). He is the writer and host of The 5thAvenue’s Show Talks with Albert Evans, pre-show chats about all things theatrical.George M. Cohan (1978-1942) rose to the top of his field as an entertainer, songwriter, playwright, and producer with virtually no formal education. No one is theatrical history ever did as many different things as well as George M. Cohan. In the early 20th century, he dominated American theater to a degree that has never been matched by anyone else. Cohan is the father of the modern Broadway musical. He grew up in the business, touring with his family, “The Four Cohans.” In his 20s, Cohan conquered Broadway, writing directing, and starring in fast-paced shows that made America–not Europe-the standard-setter for musical theater. Cohan’s songs–from “Give My Regards to Broadway” to “Mary"--are pure Americana. He was honored with a Congressional Medal for his contributions to the American spirit. His life inspired the film biography Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Performance Royalties are based on theater particulars. Please fill out an application for a personalized quote. Billing responsibilities, pertinent copyright information, and playwrights' biographies are available in the show rider that comes with your license agreement.

“A panorama of musical comedy images unfurls like a ‘Grand Old Flag’... it is clear that the visual language of American musical theatre is as powerful as its sounds and stories.”—The New York Times“The hits just keep on coming. And with the bright snazzy treatment they get, these cornball standards are pretty irresistible. Cohan tapped into something brash and brassy in the American spirit — and still does.” —The Seattle Times

“A solid and satisfying musical.” —The Southhampton Press“There are gorgeous moments in Yankee Doodle... the final montage, a goose bump raising phantasmagoria of images that put us smack in the middle of Broadway and takes us from Cohan’s heyday right through today. It’s drippingly old fashioned and wondrously inventive.”—The Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Propelled by the kind of vintage hoofing that built Broadway. The songs are show stoppers!”—Variety

Materials: your materials will be sent to you two months prior to your opening date and will include everything necessary for your production and can be ordered in Printed or Digital format. Printed Materials are provided on unbound three-hole punched loose-leaf paper while digital Materials are provided via email as downloadable PDF files for you to print in-house. All materials are yours to keep! No deposits, no returns.